This year is one I’ve been anticipating for a long, long time. It’s the year my debut novel will be published.
In May, if you’re interested.
Getting to this point has taken a lot of time and hard work, not only in writing the book, but in editing and submitting it, and ultimately in choosing to work with the crowdfunding publisher Unbound. Since I launched my campaign at the end of 2017, I’ve learned a huge amount about how publishing works, particularly outside the big publishing houses, where advances are small or non-existent, and marketing budgets are rare.
With the book currently in the hands of a copy-editor, I’m starting to turn my attention to the launch, making plans and getting ready for my story to emerge into the world.
So it seems the perfect time to sit down and consider just what I want from this year and from the launch of my debut novel, as well as the kind of writer I want to be.
I will set my expectations
Writing is not an easy gig and there are no guarantees of success. Unless you have an enormous marketing budget, a team of experts behind you and access to national press contacts, chances are your book campaign won’t make a huge impact.
But that doesn’t mean it can’t be successful on its own terms.
I’m prepared for the fact that I will have to do much of the work myself and that’s okay. Any help my publisher can offer beyond that will be gratefully received.
And I’ll be thankful for however many copies my books sells and the reviews that it receives, because that means that people are reading it, finally, after all this time.
I will choose my own definition of success
Your book will only be as successful as you can make it.
But that can mean whatever you want it to. Not everyone is going to sell a million copies of their novel, or see it made into a Hollywood blockbuster. That doesn’t mean you can’t set yourself more modest goals and celebrate when you surpass them.
For me, this book is a foundation. I hope it will find readers who enjoy the story and understand the message I was trying to share. I hope it will inspire some good reviews and maybe make it onto the odd list, however small.
But most of all, I hope it will inspire me to build on this opportunity and write more, write better.
I want to spend my life writing and have my stories touch readers’ hearts in some way. For me, it’s about meaning and beauty and emotion rather than sales, although those are always nice too!
I will strap on my marketing pants
In some ways, it’s easy for me to say this, because I have an advantage. I’ve been working in marketing for over a decade and I already have many of the skills to begin promoting my work.
But that doesn’t mean it will be easy.
If I’m honest, after working all day at my job, I’d rather not come home and spend each evening sending promotional tweets and emails, firing off press releases and article pitches, requesting reviews and looking for more opportunities. But I will, because it’s the only way to ensure my book reaches an audience, however modest.
But I will also remember to take breaks. Marketing is important, but it isn’t everything. It shouldn’t be a punishment and it isn’t for everyone.
Every debut author has got to find their own promotional feet, because it’s not something that comes easily to everyone. And you certainly shouldn’t judge yourself against the writers who do manage to become marketing juggernauts, because that takes a lot of work and a fair amount of luck too.
I will be kind to publishers
And bloggers, agents, other writers, booksellers, not to mention my family and friends. No one likes an entitled, arrogant or lazy colleague, the person who makes their working life harder or more unpleasant.
I know that I’m not the only writer my publisher works with and I’m certainly not the highest profile. I haven’t written a book that will appeal universally to every blogger and reviewer out there. I can’t expect people who give up their free time to read and review books online to jump on my novel at the expense of others. Not everyone will enjoy it, or even want to read it.
That doesn’t mean I can’t ask for help or reach out to others, but I won’t be demanding support and complaining when I don’t receive it. Well, I might, but only to my husband or my close friends, when I need to let off a little steam.
I choose to be professional, because I dream about making writing my career. I choose to be kind because I want to make real connections and friends through writing, not only anonymous reviewers.
I choose to be respectful and passionate and understanding because I love books and I’m privileged to have written one and to see it in print.
Being a writer is a wonderful thing and I’d rather be known as someone who is friendly, hard-working and good to work with.
I will keep writing
But most of all, this year, I am promising myself that I will keep writing. I’ll work hard to promote The Disappeared, but not at the expense of my other writing.
This year, it will be important to find that elusive balance between paid work, marketing and writing. It won’t be easy, but I’m determined to try.
Because editing The Disappeared has reminded me of something: how much I love to write and how powerful an effect it has on my well-being.
I’m a writer and one book isn’t enough. One book doesn’t mean I’ve made it, or I can stop. Writing is a part of my DNA and I need to give it space in my life to grow and build on the things I’ve done so far.
My resolution this year is to become the writer I’ve dreamed of being since I was 10-years-old.
And I can’t wait to see where the journey will take me.
Find out more about my book here.